Two men are in custody after firearms and ammunition were recovered during separate incidents at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Hiawa Village, Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Monday. According to police reports, at about 21:00h, a firearm was recovered along Oil Mill Road, Cove and John, ECD following reports of gunshots in the area. Ranks who responded observed a group of men gathered at a residence. Police said during enquiries, a male was seen acting suspiciously and placing an object among plants in the yard. A search led to the discovery of a .32 Taurus pistol with one magazine containing eight live rounds. Three spent shells were also recovered from the roadway. The suspect, a 37-year-old construction worker of Cove and John, was arrested and later stated that he is not the holder of a firearm licence. The firearm and ammunition were lodged and he remains in custody as investigations continue.

In a separate incident at about 19:05h on Monday, a firearm and ammunition were recovered at Hiawa Village, Central Rupununi. The discovery followed a report of threatening behaviour in the village. A 53-year-old Community Policing Group (CPG) worker handed over a white rice bag containing one 20-gauge shotgun, two 20-gauge cartridges and one empty casing, which had been secured after an alleged discharge of a round. Further enquiries, according to police, led investigators to a 31-year-old teacher of Hiawa Village, who was contacted and questioned. He stated that he is not the holder of a firearm licence and was arrested and escorted to the Lethem Police Station, where the firearm and ammunition were lodged.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.